What door-to-door means
A door-to-door shipment brings together collection from the supplier, export clearance, the main air, sea or road journey, import clearance and final delivery. Rather than booking each step yourself, you tell us where the goods are and where they need to go, and we coordinate the partners for each leg.
Where we fit in
- Choosing a sensible mode and route for your timings and budget
- Booking collection, main transport and delivery with partners
- Coordinating export and import customs through partner brokers
- Keeping you updated and dealing with questions along the way
Incoterms in brief
Incoterms are the standard trade terms that set out who arranges and pays for each part of the journey, and where risk passes from seller to buyer. Knowing which term you have agreed tells us what we need to arrange. A few common Incoterms 2020 terms:
| Term | In short |
|---|---|
| EXW - Ex Works | The buyer arranges almost everything, from collection at the seller's premises onwards. |
| FCA - Free Carrier | The seller hands export-cleared goods to the buyer's carrier at an agreed place. |
| FOB - Free On Board | Sea only. The seller delivers export-cleared goods on board the vessel at the port of loading. |
| CIF - Cost, Insurance and Freight | Sea only. The seller pays freight and minimum insurance to the destination port; risk passes at loading. |
| DAP - Delivered at Place | The seller arranges transport to the named destination; the buyer handles import clearance and duties. |
| DDP - Delivered Duty Paid | The seller arranges everything, including import clearance and paying duty and VAT. |
This is a summary only. Always check the full Incoterms rules and your contract with your trading partner.